Exploring Cornwall Week #13

Beach Cafe Newquay

Beautiful Ocean View

Beach Cafe Newquay

Classic VW Car

Beach Life

Charlestown Bead and Breakfast

White Wash Cottages Horse Box Farm Shop Newquay Second Hand Bookshop in Truro

Secret Garden Cornwall

How the weather can change in a short space of time. I took these photos just over 2 weeks ago, it was so warm and sunny. I have been in Scotland for the past 11 days & I think we have gone straight to winter. I am hoping that like last year in Cornwall October is beautiful and warm, like an Indian Summer, fingers crossed because I’m not prepared for it to be this wet & windy.

Cornwall is really beautiful in Autumn as the leaves change colour and the sunsets are more intense, so it’s not all bad news. There is something I find romantic about having a walk along the beach when the weather is rotten, getting all wrapped up and braving the cold.

As I said a couple of weeks ago we were in the middle of a heatwave, our local village is beautiful and when the weather is good we very rarely venture any further afield. I am sad to say that the beach bar has closed now for another year, which is sad but it was so much fun whilst it was there.

I did discover the cutest farm shop in the back of a horse box, they are over in Porth most Sunday’s and have a great selection of fruit & veg, I also bought some artisan bread (I couldn’t resist that warm bread scent).

Are you excited for the change in seasons, are you more of an Autumnal person? I think I am, but that might be because my birthday is in October and I’m excited to be heading to Amsterdam to celebrate this year.

Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask

Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask 1

Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask

VICHY Double Glow Peel Mask

In a bid to get my skin ready for my brother’s wedding next week I have been using a few carefully selected skincare products (I have a post all about my skin prep coming next week) and this new VICHY Mask was one of the standout products.

Vichy introduces its first double action face mask with volcanic rock and AHA to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. This mask is the perfect pick me up for a dull complexion and works quickly to reveal glowing skin. The skin’s texture is immediately smoother and more luminous, whilst pores look refined. Partner with other Vichy Masks for a multi-masking ritual.

This mask has a gel texture, and it feels cooling on the skin when you first apply it, I smoothed a generous layer over my face and left it for 5 minutes before gently massaging the product in to my skin. It has a slight texture to it, and it feels a little grainy (not abrasive at all). After massaging for about a minute I rinsed the product off with a warm cloth and my skin was pink and a little sensitive, but it looked smooth and after 15 minutes the rosy colour had subdued and my skin looked fresh and felt incredibly smooth.

New Vichy Skincare Release

There are so many glows getting ingredients in this Double Glow Peel Mask, including,

  • REMINERALIZING THERMAL WATER: Reinforces the skin’s natural moisture barrier, giving it time to regenerate and rebalance
  • AHA (ALPHA-HYDROXY ACIDS): Remove dead skin cells, using 5 natural plant extracts: blueberry, sugar cane, maple-sugar, orange and lemon
  • VOLCANIC ROCK: To exfoliate and eliminate impurities
  • VITAMIN CG+ MANNOSE: To brighten, hydrate and restore the epidermis of the skin

This mask is going to gently exfoliate away all the grime and dead skin cells, which is why your skin looks so fresh and radiant after using it. So it has been fantastic in reviving my dull skin. Vichy, have released 2 other masks alongside this Double Glow Peel Mask & they’re the Quenching Mineral Mask & Pore Purifying Mask. It seems that VICHY have a specific mask to combat each skin concern.

*PR Sample

Jurlique Activating Water Essence

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Jurlique Activating Water Essence

We are seeing Asian beauty influences in so many products being released by Western brands, only last week I blogged about the latest Lancome Cushion Makeup and it seems that the latest trend to hit our skincare routines is the Essence. I had to do a little background reading on just what exactly an Essence was and how best to use it in my skincare regime.

I thought I had a pretty rigorous regime and didn’t realise that there was room for one more step, a step that the Asian market have deemed to be one of the most important. So an Essence is not a toner, nope its used after both cleansing and toning, it can replenish moisture, balance skins PH levels and help skin look glowing. You use your hands to pat the product into your skin and let the rich, nourishing ingredients work their magic. One of the latest to hit the market is the Activating Water Essence from Australian skincare brand Jurlique & I have been putting it to the test.

Jurlique Activating Water Essence* £40

I thought adding another step to my skincare routine would be pointless and even more time consuming but I have to say this extra step has become one of my favourites. The action of patting the product into my skin is quite relaxing and my skin has felt a lot better too since introducing this. This product activates your skin in 3 ways

  1. Hydrates – Delivers continuous hydration and lasting moisture
  2. Conditions – Smooths skin to provide a soft, supple complexion
  3. Revitalise – Revitalises and re-energises for healthy-looking skin

New Jurlique Skincare Release 2016

At the centre of its highly concentrated formula is their star ingredient – Marshmallow Root Extract, which is great at deeply hydrating skin and improving its ability to retain moisture. So what is it about Marshmallow Root that makes it such a good skincare ingredient,

Marshmallow Root Extract has been used throughout history as a healing treatment, it has anti inflammatory properties, its gentle and soothing on the skin whilst also being a natural hydrator.

The Marshmallow Root’s ability to attract and retain water allows it to provide lasting hydration to the skin. It forms a protective barrier that helps rebalance dry skin and prevent moisture loss to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.

Along side the Marshmallow Root there are also quite a few other natural ingredients including,

  • Neem – Conditions and soothes
  • Lavender – Hydrates and calms
  • Rosemary – Invigorates and restores
  • Horsetail – Hydrates and balances
  • Witch Hazel – Clarifies and firms
  • Nettle – Rebalances and refreshes
  • Peach Leaf – Revitalises, regenerates and protects

Since using this my skin doesn’t look as fatigued or dull and it has been really good at reducing the redness in my cheeks. I am pretty pleased to have this step in my routine and can see why it is so popular. This bottle is going to last ages, you only need to splash a few drops into your hands and because it is so fluid a little goes a long way.

Let me know if you already have this step in your routine & if you’re a fan of any other Korean / Japanese beauty regimes or products.

*PR Sample

Ideal World The One Stop Beauty Shop

Ideal World Beauty Products

Ideal World TV Beauty Products

I’ve been trying a selection of beauty products which are available exclusively in the UK through Ideal World TV, who have an extensive range of makeup and skincare brands available on both their TV Channel & online shop. I have been aware of them for some time now but they’re constantly adding new product lines and always offering incredible deals. I thought I would share with you a few of the products, so you can get a little insight into a couple of the brands available.

Liquilift Slender Wrap

These come in a pack of 4, you place the wrap around the target area and they say you will see the best results if you’re able to leave it on overnight (not sure how comfortable that would be). These wraps are designed to smooth, tighten, hydrate skin leaving it more slender. These contain skin-loving ingredients including, Seaweed, Ivy, Rosemary, Jojoba, Menthol and a range of essential vitamins. I love a face mask but not sure how I feel about a body wrap. I guess the results may be short-lived, I haven’t used this yet & if I am honest I’m not overly excited to.

Beauty Pro Rejuvenating Collagen Mask

Now, this is 100% more my cup of tea. Sheet masks are so popular right now and I love using them. If you’re new to the craze that is the sheet mask, they’ve been hugely popular in Korea for years and are a one use cotton / cloth mask saturated in powerful ingredients to help keep your skin looking its best. There are so many varieties on the market and are specific to your skin needs. This one from Beauty Pro is formulated with Green Tea Extract which combats oil, rehydrates skin and gives your skin a beautiful healthy glow. This one has a great amount of liquid which feels cooling and relaxing on the skin, I left this on for a little over 20 minutes, my skin felt instantly hydrated and did look fresher. These masks are great to travel with as they’re compact and help refresh skin after flying, or during your long haul flight if you’re brave enough to apply it. These come in a pack of 5 individual masks.

Elizabeth Grant Firming Eye Pads

These eye pads are on a similar vein to the sheet masks but these are specifically a treatment for your under eye area. These are so easy to apply and give an instant result to puffy tired eyes. I leave them on for as long as I can, to get every ounce of benefit out of them. They’re great to use before an important event or again after travelling and help revive and brighten your under eye. After I take them off I pat in what product is left under my eye. You get 12 sets in each pack.

Beauty Shopping at Ideal World TV

Elizabeth Grant Hydra Cell Active Hand Cream

This is a nice rich but lightweight hand cream it helped hydrate my hands and stop them looking dry. Its lightweight  formula sinks in quickly but leaves hands feeling protected. You can never own too many hand creams, I have them stashed all over the place but especially in my car and handbag.

Elizabeth Grant Wonder Effect Glycolic Mask

I have yet to put this to the test but Glycolic Acid products are really popular in the beauty world right now because of its exfoliating and skin rejuvenating qualities. This mask is a creamy, hydrating clay mask and loaded with 10% glycolic acid and Torricelum.  The mask helps draw out deep impurities, encourages healthy new skin cells to reveal themselves, tightens pores, reduces lines, and moisturises. So with all those potential benefits I am excited to use this.

Skin Dimitri James Makeup

Skinn Cosmetics Makeup 

I have tried a couple of products from this brand and I really liked the eyeshadow palette, so was excited to test out more from their range. The Plasma Fusion Full Pigment Lipstick in the shade Natural Kiss has such a creamy, hydrating formula and it felt so smooth and comfortable on the lips. Its a very wearable pink and the perfect everyday shade. This range of lipsticks offer, ‘the best of four worlds in one handy tube. The outer layer is filled with rich, full-pigmented pure colour lipstick that goes on smooth and even, with the staying power of a stain. While the inner core is infused with Argan Oil and Rosehip Oil to sooth and nourish lips, adding a subtle glossy finish to those rich coloured lips’

I have also been trying the Skinn Luxe Waterproof Eyeliner in Rich Black. This wasn’t too smooth to apply and I did notice it feathered out in the fine lines on my eyelid. I will say the colour is very pigmented and once it dries there is no budging, it stays in place all day. So if you want to smoke this out you have about 2 minutes before it won’t move. It didn’t irritate my eyes but you will need a good cleanser to get this waterproof liner off.

Wet Brush Detangle Professional

These brushes are a must of you struggle with knotty hair after washing, these are specifically designed to be used on wet hair. Wet brushes come in a range of sizes and styles, this one is neon green & yellow and the rubber coated handle for grip, the super thin, flexible bristles detangle tough knots with ease. The great thing about these brushes is they doesn’t tug, snap or damage your hair so you can detangle it knowing your hair isn’t getting damaged. Also because they’re so gentle they prevent split ends.

If you haven’t already browsed the beauty department on Ideal World TV make sure you pop over. You might discover some interesting new brands and great offers.

*PR Sample